FIREFIGHTERS from Tavistock wearing chemical protection suits and breathing apparatus tackled a pesticide spillage at a farm near Milton Abbot on Monday.
An unknown amount of diluted Lindane, potentially dangerous to aquatic life, was lost into a tributary of the River Tamar during the incident.
Chris Neale, Tavistock's fire chief, said 1,000 litres of the chemical was being carried in a tank at the back of a tractor.
'One of the long, spraying arms on the back broke and some of the chemical was running down the road.
'We got everybody out of the way including all the farm staff and got advice from the manufacturers of the chemical,' he said.
Mr Neale said firefighters managed to decant 700 litres of the chemical into smaller five-gallon tanks.
'The farmer did everything right — he rushed to the phone and called the emergency services straight away,' said Mr Neale.
Environment Agency officers also attended the spillage and confirmed prompt action, including building an earth bund, contained the 'vast majority' of the chemical.
The agency carried out a biological survey on river life and alerted South West Water about the spill.
Environment spokesman Rob Torr said: 'Even low concentrations of pesticides can be extremely damaging in a watercourse and it is important to act promptly with this type of spill.
'We had a team of officers at the scene checking what effect this incident has had on the stream.'